Kyrgyz interim government claims nation under control

BISHKEK, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of the Kyrgyz interim government said on Sunday the country is under control even though the south has witnessed continued unrest.

Loyal supporters of ousted Kyrgyz president Kurmanbek Bakiyev thickened their hostility against the Central Asian nation's interim rulers when they stormed and seized control of the regional administration building in the country's southern city of Jalalabad on Saturday.

The deputy head of the new government Temir Sariyev said about 150 people were involved the hostile breaking-in, adding that they wanted to show they were controlling the city and the region, the home base for Bakiyev's supporters.

He also said the new government wouldn't be provoked to use force for intervention and has "enough wisdom and patience to solve these problems peacefully."

The situation in Jalalabad later clamed down with no police or military forces in the streets.

Bakiyev fled Bishkek on April 7 amid violent protests in the capital and other cities. The interim regime said it has received the president's letter of resignation while the ousted leader's family members refuted the authenticity of the letter, saying it was forged.

Bakiyev departed his country late last Thursday under the mediation of the United States and Russia, flying to Taraz in neighboring Kazakhstan.

However, his present whereabouts remain unclear.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Sunday that Bakiyev would be welcome in his country if he wanted to go. Lukashenko offered Bakiyev and his family "support and assistance at this difficult time."

The Belarusian leader also denied that Bakiyev had resigned, saying the letter of resignation shown by the media was not trustworthy.

Meanwhile, the interim government accused the ousted president's brother Zhanysh Bakiyev, also defense minister of the toppled regime, of ordering troops to open fire on protesters on April 7, killing over 80 people.

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